WaveMaker Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026
The Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026 is a regional forum focused on showcasing innovative climate and environmental solutions for Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) which took place from 1–3 July 2026 Location: Port Vila, Vanuatu under the overall theme: "Champions of Innovation for Sustainable and Resilient Futures: Harnessing Ideas and Knowledge to Advance Pacific Solutions."
The Forum was co-organized by the Governement of Vanuatu, SPREP and V-Lab
The Forum was co-organized by the Governement of Vanuatu, SPREP and V-Lab
Purpose
PIFCE 2026 brought together:
- Government representatives
- Climate innovators and entrepreneurs
- Development partners NGOs and civil society
- Private sector organizations
- Universities and research institutions
The forum aims to promote Pacific-led innovations that address climate change and environmental challenges while encouraging collaboration, investment, and knowledge sharing across the region.
- Government representatives
- Climate innovators and entrepreneurs
- Development partners NGOs and civil society
- Private sector organizations
- Universities and research institutions
The forum aims to promote Pacific-led innovations that address climate change and environmental challenges while encouraging collaboration, investment, and knowledge sharing across the region.
Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition
V-Lab was honored to contribute to and support as a co-organizer the inaugural WaveMaker Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026. As a partner committed to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Vanuatu and across the Pacific, V-Lab was grateful for the opportunity to work alongside our partners in bringing together innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, development partners, researchers, and community leaders to advance Pacific-led solutions to climate and environmental challenges.
PIFCE 2026 was more than a forum—it was a gathering of passionate individuals and organizations united by a shared commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable Pacific. Through inspiring discussions, innovation showcases, the ClimateTech Hackathon, and the Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, the event highlighted the creativity, ingenuity, and determination that exist across our region.
It was a privilege for V-Lab to support initiatives that provided innovators with opportunities to collaborate, develop their ideas, and share their solutions with a wider audience. The forum reinforced the importance of creating spaces where partnerships can grow, knowledge can be shared, and Pacific innovators can learn from one another while working towards common goals.
One of the forum's highlights was the Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, held on 2 July 2026 during PIFCE. The competition provided innovators and entrepreneurs with a platform to present their climate and environmental solutions to a distinguished panel of judges, while also engaging forum participants through a public voting process.
Following a competitive selection process, ten innovators advanced to the semifinals, showcasing a diverse range of Pacific-led innovations. The semifinalists included GreenTech, Enviromesh, Nature Fresh Farm Supplies, BlueGarden, Eagle Vetiver, Blue Pacific Solution, The Greater Good Diaper Project, Kahuto, and Powa Mo Wota, alongside one additional semifinalist representing the region's growing innovation ecosystem.
From the semifinal round, five finalists--BlueGarden, Eagle Vetiver, Blue Pacific Solution, Enviromesh, and Kahuto—advanced to the live finals held during the forum. Their presentations demonstrated the high calibre of innovation emerging across the Pacific and the potential for locally developed solutions to address climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Following the final pitches, Enviromesh was selected by the judging panel and jury as the inaugural winner of the WaveMaker PIFCE Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, recognizing the strength, innovation, and scalability of its low-carbon alternative to conventional steel mesh reinforcement for concrete. Eagle Vetiver received the People's Choice Award, a recognition determined through public voting by forum participants, reflecting the widespread support and appreciation for its innovative nature-based solution.
PIFCE 2026 was more than a forum—it was a gathering of passionate individuals and organizations united by a shared commitment to building a more resilient and sustainable Pacific. Through inspiring discussions, innovation showcases, the ClimateTech Hackathon, and the Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, the event highlighted the creativity, ingenuity, and determination that exist across our region.
It was a privilege for V-Lab to support initiatives that provided innovators with opportunities to collaborate, develop their ideas, and share their solutions with a wider audience. The forum reinforced the importance of creating spaces where partnerships can grow, knowledge can be shared, and Pacific innovators can learn from one another while working towards common goals.
One of the forum's highlights was the Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, held on 2 July 2026 during PIFCE. The competition provided innovators and entrepreneurs with a platform to present their climate and environmental solutions to a distinguished panel of judges, while also engaging forum participants through a public voting process.
Following a competitive selection process, ten innovators advanced to the semifinals, showcasing a diverse range of Pacific-led innovations. The semifinalists included GreenTech, Enviromesh, Nature Fresh Farm Supplies, BlueGarden, Eagle Vetiver, Blue Pacific Solution, The Greater Good Diaper Project, Kahuto, and Powa Mo Wota, alongside one additional semifinalist representing the region's growing innovation ecosystem.
From the semifinal round, five finalists--BlueGarden, Eagle Vetiver, Blue Pacific Solution, Enviromesh, and Kahuto—advanced to the live finals held during the forum. Their presentations demonstrated the high calibre of innovation emerging across the Pacific and the potential for locally developed solutions to address climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Following the final pitches, Enviromesh was selected by the judging panel and jury as the inaugural winner of the WaveMaker PIFCE Private Sector Climate and Innovation Pitching Competition, recognizing the strength, innovation, and scalability of its low-carbon alternative to conventional steel mesh reinforcement for concrete. Eagle Vetiver received the People's Choice Award, a recognition determined through public voting by forum participants, reflecting the widespread support and appreciation for its innovative nature-based solution.
ClimateTech Hackathon
Held at Ramada Resort, Port Vila, on the 27th of June 2026, the ClimateTech Hackathon was one of the flagship events leading into the WaveMaker Pacific Innovation Forum on Climate and Environment (PIFCE) 2026. Proudly organized by V-Lab and SPREP, and generously sponsored by Ratua Private Island Resort Vanuatu and Ramada Resort, the hackathon brought together young innovators, students, entrepreneurs, and problem-solvers to develop practical, technology-driven solutions to climate and environmental challenges facing the Pacific.
Over the course of the hackathon, participants collaborated in multidisciplinary teams, received guidance from experienced mentors, and refined their ideas before presenting their solutions to a panel of judges. The initiative provided an invaluable platform for young innovators to transform ideas into practical solutions with the potential to create lasting impact across the region.
The inaugural hackathon showcased the remarkable talent, creativity, and passion of Vanuatu's youth. Lokol Solutions emerged as the winners, receiving the Outstanding Innovation Award for their innovative concept, "Waste to Worth"
a community recycling hub designed to transform organic waste, plastics, and metals into valuable resources while promoting sustainable waste management practices. In recognition of their achievement, each of the six youth representatives received a new laptop to support their continued innovation journey.
The team expressed their gratitude to the hackathon organizers, V-Lab and SPREP, their coach Ms. Christiane Lini Crowby of Vanuatu Incorp Advisory, the event sponsors Ratua Private Island Resort Vanuatu and Ramada Resort, as well as the judges and fellow participants from USP, NUV, VIT, CARE, and Pacific Team. They also shared their hope that their journey would inspire young people across Vanuatu and the Pacific to dream big, embrace innovation, and become changemakers within their own communities.
The winning team was recognized during the WaveMaker PIFCE 2026 forum, where they presented their solution and received their award on 2 July 2026, highlighting the strong connection between the hackathon and the forum's broader mission of celebrating Pacific-led innovation and supporting climate solutions that can make a real difference across the region.
Over the course of the hackathon, participants collaborated in multidisciplinary teams, received guidance from experienced mentors, and refined their ideas before presenting their solutions to a panel of judges. The initiative provided an invaluable platform for young innovators to transform ideas into practical solutions with the potential to create lasting impact across the region.
The inaugural hackathon showcased the remarkable talent, creativity, and passion of Vanuatu's youth. Lokol Solutions emerged as the winners, receiving the Outstanding Innovation Award for their innovative concept, "Waste to Worth"
a community recycling hub designed to transform organic waste, plastics, and metals into valuable resources while promoting sustainable waste management practices. In recognition of their achievement, each of the six youth representatives received a new laptop to support their continued innovation journey.
The team expressed their gratitude to the hackathon organizers, V-Lab and SPREP, their coach Ms. Christiane Lini Crowby of Vanuatu Incorp Advisory, the event sponsors Ratua Private Island Resort Vanuatu and Ramada Resort, as well as the judges and fellow participants from USP, NUV, VIT, CARE, and Pacific Team. They also shared their hope that their journey would inspire young people across Vanuatu and the Pacific to dream big, embrace innovation, and become changemakers within their own communities.
The winning team was recognized during the WaveMaker PIFCE 2026 forum, where they presented their solution and received their award on 2 July 2026, highlighting the strong connection between the hackathon and the forum's broader mission of celebrating Pacific-led innovation and supporting climate solutions that can make a real difference across the region.
Supporting Pacific Innovation
